Unsurprisingly, the most common topic of conversation among the students returning to WSA was the IAC Games. Yes, they weren't nearly as competitive as previous IACs, namely because of the pandemic. This year it focused more on comparing how well an Animalian would do in Olympic events next to a human athlete. There was no denying that the average Animalian trumps the average human in pretty much every physical way. Part of the experiment that originally produced the Animalian virus was meant to treat muscle distrophy. Clearly that had worked all too well for Animalians.
Even so, there were some particular sports that Animalia did that weren't in the Olympics. The Flyer Games was an obvious example. But there was one particular sport that always drew the most attention: the Hunter Games. Of course, they weren't a series of gladiator/survival games that were set in an awful dystopian future where the elite controlled all the food. The Hunter Games were designed to showcase predation in the wild, though made safe for all participants. The goal was for the predator to take the flag held by the prey before the prey gets to the end of an obstacle course. The prey is just as capable of taking the predator's flag as well.
Unlike with Dino City's Hunter Games, the ones in Lyre focused more on the chase than confrontation. Most often, the hunt took place in a fake jungle area where both competitors could use the surroundings to their advantage. Of course, that wasn't the only terrain available. There was a grasslands course, which focused more on sneaking up or an all-out run. There was also a mountain course that was set up very interestingly. It consisted of large piles of loose gravel, rock-climbing walls, and large pillars of stone that one can jump across.
One of the more interesting matches for the mountain course was between Countess Irena and Karen. As an Pyrenean Ibex, Irena was very sure-footed, with cloven hoods that stretched apart to allow her more purchase. As a snow leopard, Karen was built to hunt in high altitudes. Though their territories were very far apart, not considering the the Pyrenean Ibex is extinct, the two of them ought to have a mutual advantage on this course.
Of course, things weren't nearly so simple. Irena was quick to adapt to the sliding gravel and considerable climbs. Karen was quite agile as a snow leopard, bu there's one particular thing that wasn't usually taken into consideration: snow leopards tend to attack from above, running at a target from higher up the slope. Not that Karen was unskilled. But it was hard to keep up with someone who can go up rocks so fast and easily. Irena was able to spring across the rocks with the grace of a gazelle, which may or may not be a close relative. Karen was at least capable of following close behind, though not quite catching up to her. Irena was the one who took the gold that day.
There was certainly big expectations for next year, hopefully with less restrictions connected to public health. Some of have wondered why not keep the Hunter Games year round. Setting up the obstacle courses was one good answer. Besides, if they really wanted to watch some matches, the Wrestling League would be enough to satisfy them.